
Barbecue Showdown: Two Texas Cities Named Best in the U.S.
Ahead of National Barbecue Day, Yelp released its list of the Top 10 Cities for BBQ in the U.S., and 2 Texas cities top the list. While that’s no surprise, the two they chose might leave you puzzled.
You could make the argument that barbecue is the food we Texans take the most pride in. Sure, you could make a good case for Tex-Mex, steaks, and burgers. But for my money, barbecue reigns supreme in the Lone Star State.
The great thing about living here is that you don’t have to travel far to find great barbecue. You can score some good brisket, ribs, turkey, or whatever you’re craving in every big city, small town, or backyard across Texas.

READ NEXT: Outsiders Are Confused by This Texas Cuisine
But, of course, there are certain regions that stand out. Take the Austin area, for instance. Franklin Barbecue in Austin and Kreuz Market in Lockhart are consistently ranked among the best barbecue joints in the nation. So, it’s no wonder Austin was ranked the Number 1 barbecue city in America.
The second-best city for barbecue is the one I found to be surprising. I figured it would be Houston, as I constantly hear about some great barbecue places in the Bayou City. But no, it’s San Antonio. I’m sure there’s plenty of great barbecue there, but I’ve always equated San Antonio with great Mexican food.
That said, the key takeaway for this old boy is that I need to be on the hunt for some barbecue the next time I’m in that neck of the woods.
How Many of These Essential Texas Foods Have You Had?
- 1-13 Born and Raised in California
- 14-26 From Oklahoma
- 27-39 True Texan
- Anything over 40 Texas Flag Waving Texan
Gallery Credit: Stryker
COMPLETE LIST: The Delicious Texas BBQ Joints at Red Dirt BBQ & Music Festival '25
8 Meats That Are Illegal to BBQ in Texas
Gallery Credit: Jordan Verge